Who is really irresponsible, Commissioner?

13.MAY.11

Editor: The front page of a local newspaper dated Friday, May 6, 2011, carried a very interesting headline titled “Very irresponsible, says Miller.”{{more}} This headline begs the question, who is really irresponsible? Is it Inspector Delpesche or Commissioner Miller? While I do not condone marijuana smoking, I am in sympathy with Inspector Delpesche and painstakingly accepted his reasons for dropping the charge against a gentleman from North Leeward who was before the court, charged with possession of one marijuana bomb. However, the reasons Mr. Miller gave for reinstating three convicted “Good Cops Gone Bad” on the same front page are ludicrous, to say the least. His sarcastic statement that “with this job, you will make mistakes’ is laughable, and his examination of their past records labelling them as “good men, hard working men” is superfluous. Good cops don’t behave that way. Mr. Miller, you seem not to have gotten that point.

The reinstatement of the three convicted cops. irrespective of their previously good records in the police force. will go down as one of the most irresponsible decisions ever made by a sitting Commissioner in the history of the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. It is hard to fathom why Commissioner Miller would wish to have convicted criminals re-enlisted into that noble profession. A profession that is often linked with persons of impeccable character whose criminal records are supposed to be as clean as whistles has been tarnished by your poor judgement, Mr. Commissioner. Mr. Miller, these convicted cops should have been in prison for their mistreatment of that youngster, but instead you have the audacity to welcome them back into the police force so that they can continue their abusive behaviours. I am sure they are going to carry on with their disgusting behaviours, but will do so more discreetly this time around. The question all Vincentians should now be asking is: ‘Is Mr. Miller saying to police officers that they can freely abuse civilians, and do so with impunity, once they are hard working officers? The commissioner has set a bad precedent and is sending a dreadful signal to his officers that they can treat people, especially those from the poor echelon of the society, any which way, and get away with impunity. Your bad decision will have negative repercussions and will give would be abusers in the Force false hope. I hope police officers don’t take this clue as a license to mistreat civilians, hoping that when the justice system acts that they will have Uncle Miller to turn to, to save them.

The Police Force is crying out for good leadership, but Commissioner Miller seems not to be hearing that cry. The firemen are crying out for better equipment and training. The Coast Guard is crying for a new patrol boat. Some outstanding officers are crying out against victimisation and non promotion, while others are unhappy with the present ommissioner’s performance on the job. The cries are endless, but they are falling on deaf ears. Morale in the Force is at its lowest ebb, yet the Commissioner seems to think that everything is going fine. The only cry he heard recently came from the disgraced officers seeking back their jobs. It is sad that Mr. Miller can answer to their cries and has reinstated them, while at the same time sending Inspector Tannis packing to the Ministry of Education to waste time. Is the Inspector not hard working?

So, Mr Miller, to label Inspector Delspesche as irresponsible is unfair. I urge you to look into the mirror and reflect on your decision to restate the “Good Cops Gone Bad” and tell us whether or not to prosecute for one marijuana bomb or the reinstatement of three rogue cops, which of the two of you acted irresponsibly? I am sure your mirror will point more fingers at you, Commissioner Miller. You exhibited poor judgement on this occasion, but it is not surprising since this has been the hallmark of your legacy ever since occupying that Commissioner’s chair.

Don’t use Inspector Delpesche as your scapegoat to detract from the real issues affecting the Police Force today. Many persons supported his decision, but many persons opposed yours and have labelled it as irresponsible. I hope you get the message that the majority of us are unhappy with it.

M. Anderson